The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cave entrance as William watched the fox girls escort Ibuki to her new quarters. He'd given explicit instructions: guards were posted at all hours, and no visitors were allowed without his approval. The captured intruder was too valuable an information source to risk losing.
With that matter settled, William returned to the main chamber where Serena had been waiting. The lamia woman straightened as he approached, clearly eager to continue their earlier conversation about her former tribe.
William settled into his usual spot before speaking. "Serena, I've been thinking about what you told me regarding the lamia territory. What if we didn't just negotiate? What if we brought the entire tribe under our protection?"
The transformation in Serena's expression was immediate. Her eyes practically glowed with excitement, and words spilled out before she could contain them.
"Master William, that would change everything! The lamia control all the downstream regions of the Godforsaken Lands. If they're allied with us, we'd control critical waterways and trade routes. I know every river, every tributary in that area. I could solve half our current supply problems within days."
She leaned forward, her enthusiasm building. "And the tribal storehouse! There are weapons, preserved foods, and magical materials we desperately need. With those resources, we'd finally have real leverage against the demon wolf tribes."
William studied her carefully. Such eagerness about recruiting from one's former home usually indicates an unpleasant history. He filed that observation away for later investigation.
"We'll plan the approach carefully," he said. "But first, I need to know how today's hunting mission went. Give me your report."
Serena immediately shifted into a more formal posture. "We captured twenty-eight low-threat magical beasts as requested, Master William. We also secured thirty-seven fish specimens. The beasts are penned in the northern clearing, and all fish have been transferred to the rear pool."
"Good work." William nodded approvingly, already calculating next steps. If Serena's team maintained this efficiency, it could extend their field operations. If not, he'd need to pull Marigold's unit in to assist.
William called for Arisu, and when she arrived, gave quick instructions. "Select six fox girls and have them take charge of the captured creatures. I'll brief them on specific care protocols before dinner."
The remaining afternoon was spent on administrative tasks: reviewing inventory reports, settling minor disputes between the fox girls, and checking on the fortifications. By the time dinner concluded, William was ready for his evening routine.
He made his way to the rear cavern pool, where steam rose from the heated water. Scale maintenance wasn't glamorous work, but it was necessary. His demon scales required regular attention. Debris collected between them, and without proper massage, they could become irritated and lose their protective quality.
Serena was already waiting in the shallow water. She positioned herself to support his weight as Arisu and several others began the meticulous cleaning process. Each scale needed individual attention, the gaps thoroughly cleaned, and the pressure had to be firm enough to actually reach the muscle beneath.
The work was exhausting for his attendants, which was why they rotated regularly. After about twenty minutes, Serena yielded her position to Marigold, who took over with determined energy. The cycle continued with Arisu, Alice, and others taking turns at the detailed work while the support position changed hands.
Water splashed across the stone floor, pooling in shallow depressions. The evidence of their efforts was everywhere by the time William began to rise, signaling the end of the session.
"Master William, wait!" Marigold's voice was breathless but insistent. "I'm not tired yet. Please, let me continue serving you."
Her earnest plea made William pause. He settled back down, adjusting his position, and lowered his head to nuzzle against her neck. Marigold's resulting smile was radiant, her face flushed with contentment.
These moments meant everything to her, William knew. It wasn't just physical pleasure. It was the sense of being cherished, protected, valued. For someone who'd grown up without family, William's attention filled a profound need for Marigold.
Eventually, Marigold reached her absolute limit. Her eyes rolled back, and she slipped into unconscious bliss.
William carefully covered her with a blanket before shaking the water from his scales in one smooth motion. Droplets scattered across the cavern as he made his way back toward the sleeping chambers.
The main sleeping chamber was dim and comfortable when William arrived. Arisu and Alice were already there, preparing the bedding. The two sisters had become his regular nighttime attendants. They'd been with him the longest, and more importantly, their technique was simply superior to anyone else's.
There was something about Arisu's scent in particular that helped William achieve deep, restful sleep. He'd often wondered if it traced back to that first feeding when he was newly born, some kind of instinctual imprinting. Whatever the cause, her presence remained powerfully soothing.
Once William drifted into sleep, the sisters finally had their private conversation time.
"You did something unusual tonight," Alice murmured, careful not to wake their master. "You've been talking for weeks about wanting to bear Master William's child, but tonight you expelled his essence instead."
She unconsciously licked her lips. "I know it tastes incredible, but isn't that wasteful?"
Arisu gave her sister a long-suffering look. "You're far too fixated on that. I can barely taste it at all. I don't understand your obsession."
"Then why did you change your mind about conceiving?"
Arisu was quiet for a moment, organizing her thoughts. "I had a realization today. If I bore a child, that child would inevitably claim half my love and attention. Maybe more than half. And I asked myself, Is that what I really want?"
She shook her head slowly. "The answer is no. I want to dedicate everything to Master William alone. My entire heart, my complete devotion, undivided for the rest of my life."
"But what about strengthening the tribe?" Alice asked.
"That's exactly it," Arisu said. "If I conceived, it would only be for tribal population growth. But that completely contradicts why I chose to become Master William's personal attendant in the first place. I chose this because I wanted to be with him constantly, to love him without anything pulling my focus away. Let the other fox girls handle bearing children. That's not my path."
Alice absorbed this quietly, then smiled with understanding. "Then I'll follow you, sister. If you won't bear children, neither will I. We'll dedicate ourselves entirely to Master William together."
Morning light filtered through the cave entrance, gradually brightening the sleeping chamber. William woke naturally, finding both sisters still nestled against him. He carefully extended his demon wings over them like a protective blanket, keeping them warm while he turned his attention inward.
He'd been thinking about this problem for days now. The lamia tribe was crucial for expansion, but reconnaissance was impossible in his current form. A four-meter demon king with distinctive features couldn't exactly blend in, and any attempt at direct observation would immediately alert their sentries.
"Great Sage," William called mentally. "I need a solution. If I want to observe or infiltrate another tribe without being detected, what options exist in the Demon King legacy database?"